Statistics for Number of and Projected Bed Spaces at Commercial Dormitories
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis’s inquiry regarding current and projected commercial dormitory bed capacities and measures to expand supply given high occupancy rates. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng reported there are currently 250,000 beds, with a projected net increase of 27,000 beds over the next few years, including two new purpose-built dormitories. The Government is extending expiring dormitory leases and has increased the allowable gross floor area for dormitory use in industrial developments from 40% to 49% to facilitate more bed spaces. Additionally, the Government is facilitating new Factory-Converted Dormitories and encouraging the use of Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQs) and Temporary Occupation Licence Quarters (TOLQs). Public sector agencies are taking the lead by working with contractors to house workers in these temporary facilities to further alleviate the current pressure on commercial housing.
Transcript
50 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current number of commercial dormitory beds at workers' dormitories and the projected number of beds in each year over the next three years; and (b) whether the Government can consider increasing the supply of dormitory beds through industrial land sales or industrial property conversion given the current high occupancy and rental rates.
Dr Tan See Leng: Today, there are around 250,000 commercial dormitory beds. The Government projects a net increase of around 27,000 beds in commercial dormitories over the next few years. This includes the two Government-owned purpose-built dormitories (PBDs) in Jalan Tukang and Sengkang West, which are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 and mid-2028 respectively.
The Government works closely with the dormitory industry to increase the supply of dormitory beds. Besides adding new PBDs to the market, we have also extended the leases of expiring dormitories where feasible and allowed existing PBDs to add more beds whilst meeting prevailing dormitory housing standards. Within industrial estates, we have facilitated applications for new Factory-Converted Dormitories and increased the allowable gross floor area of industrial developments for dormitory use from 40% to 49%.
As a further measure to increase the supply of beds, the Government encourages and facilitates employers, especially those in the Construction sector, to set up Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQs) or Temporary Occupation Licence Quarters (TOLQs) to meet their workers' accommodation needs. Public sector agencies have taken the lead in this to work with their contractors to house their workers in CTQs and TOLQs.